Method and apparatus for amplifying electrical currents



June 194a a. SLAYTER 2,287,749

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AMPLIFYING ELECTRICAL CURRENTS Original Fi led Feb. 12, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet.- 1

I N VEN TOR.

90 2 524 d Him requires minimum Patented June 23, 1942 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AMPLIFY- ING ELECTRICAL OURBENTS Games'Slayter, Newark, Ohio, assignor to Slayter Electronic Corporation, a corporation of Ohio Application February 12, 1938, Serial No. 190,307 Renewed March 29, 194-0 14 Claims.

My invention relates broadly to an improved apparatus for amplification of electrical currents and more particularly to an improved apparatus for power amplification.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved power amplification system which is inexpensive in manufacture and assembly and maintenance, attention or expense.

Another object of my invention is to provide a voltage amplification system operative by an arrangement of coacting electrodes functioning at substantially atmospheric pressures for increasing the amplitude of an impressed voltage for delivery to an output circuit atincreased amplitude.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an arrangement of voltage amplifier equipment in which'electric discharge from a multiplicity of discharge points to a target is eiiected at substantially atmospheric pressures and a voltage amplification obtained according to a cubic current voltage relationship.

A further object of my invention is to provide a power amplifier system in which a pair of screen-like electrodes are arranged in successively spaced positions with respect to a multiplicity of discharge points operating at substantially atmospheric pressures and voltage to be amplified impressed between the screen-like electrode immediately adjacent the plurality of discharge points and an amplified voltage delivered to an output circuit between the other screen-like electrode and the discharge points.

A still further object of my invention is provide an arrangement of discharge electrodes, control electrodes, and target electrodes functioning at approximately atmospheric pressures and in which dimensions of the parts are so selected that the electrodes may be connected with input and output circuits enabling the apparatus to function as an amplifier without bias on the contro electrode.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in a novel apparatus for effecting power amplification as set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the,

accompanying drawings in which:

invention for voltage amplification; and Fig. 4

is a characteristic curve showing the amplifica-- tion factor of the system of my invention which follows a current voltage relation approximately according to a cubic law.

My invention makes use of principles which are set forth in my copending application Serial No. 178,810, filed December 8, 1937, for Method of electrically generating pressures, wherein I have set forth the facts concerning the electric discharge from points toward a target electrode at approximately atmospheric pressures. I have discovered that electrodes may be arranged in the air and Without an enclosing vessel, in such relationship and with proper selection of dimensions of the parts that voltage amplification may be effected according to a current voltage relation following approximately a cubic law.

The apparatus of my invention functions at approximately atmospheric pressures and without the necessity of providing an enclosing vessel for the electrodes. I provide a multiplicity of discharge points which I have indicated by reference character I. The discharge points are mounted in a semi-conductive.stream-lined support 2 through which energy is distributed to the Figure l diagrammatically illustrates in side several discharge points I which are spaced along the support 2. The discharge points I are mounted in the tapered edge of the stream-lined strip 2. The energy supplied to the discharge points I is delivered to the semi-conductive support 2 through the longitudinally extending conductor 3 embedded in the semi-conductive support 2. The resistance of the semi-conductive support 2 effective between the conductor 3 and the discharge point embedded therein, results in a potential gradient from the conductor 3 to the discharge point I, determining the discharge potential with respect to the impressed potential. The row of discharge points I illustrated in side elevation in Fig. 1 are more clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 in plan view from which it will be seen that a plurality of rows of discharge points I are mounted in spaced relation for coaction with the control electrode and target electrode. The plurality of rows of discharge points and the multiplicity of discharge points in each row are connected to function as a unit through bus 4. The plurality of rows of discharge points are supported adjacent the tapered edges in the parallel extending stream-lined strip-like semi-conductivemembers 2. Minimum obstruction is offered to the flow of air with respect to the strip-like members due to the stream-lined construction of the semi-conductive strip-like members 2. All

electrodes are operated at substantially the same temperature, the wind blowing through the electrodes during the operation or the device as an amplifier. A

The screen-like control electrode is mounted in spaced relation to the discharge points I having the intersections of the mesh thereof aligned with the discharge points. I provide a second screenlike mesh constituting electrode 6 which is disposed in spaced relation to'the electrode 5 with the intersections of the mesh thereof substantially aligned with the intersections of the mesh of screen-like electrode 5.

When a wide difference in potential is established between discharge points I and the screen-' like electrode 5, a substantial wind pressure is set up and movement of air established through the mesh of the screen-like electrodes 5. Under these conditions the screen-like electrode 5 collects practically all of the current. If by locating the second screen-like electrode 6 beyond the first screen-like electrode 5 in a direction away from the emitter or discharge points I and applying to the screen-like electrode 6, a higher potential than the potential applied to the screen-like control electrode 5 (referred to the discharge points I as zero potential), the screen-like electrode 5 no longer collects any substantial amount of current and most of the current passes to screen-like electrode 6.

Fig. 3 illustrates diagrammatically an electrical circuit utilizing the apparatus of Fig. 1 in the amplification system. The input circuit is represented by terminal conductors I, one of which connects to the common bus 4 which leads to the several conductors 3 which are in turn connected with discharge points I through semiconductive support 2 and the other of which connects with the screen-like control electrode 5, as indicated at 8. The voltage to be amplified is impressed across the input circuit conductors 'I.

The second screen-like electrode 6 connects at 9 to one side of the output circuit at I0. The

other side of the output circuit I0 includes high potential source II having its positive terminal connected through the output load to the screenlike electrode 6 and its negative terminal connected to the common conductor 4 leading to the conductors 3 embedded in the semi-conductive material 2 which supports the discharge points I; The amplification factor of the apparatus of my invention is very high. The current voltage relationship follows a cubic law approximately as indicated by the full line curve shown in Fig. 4 at I2. This cubic law characteristic of the apparatus of my invention is distinguished from the 3/2 power law of the usual vacuum tube amplifier. For purposes of comparison I have shown a curve plotted according to the usual 3/2 power law in dotted lines at I4. It will be observed that'the characteristic curve I2 illustrated in Fig. 4 shows the on-set of current to be very sharp at I5. This makes it possible, through proper selection of dimensions of the parts, to use the device without any grid bias. On the contrary, characteristic curve I4 secured in the performance of the usual vacuum tube amplifier shows that the change in slope is so slow and is spread out over such a wide range of voltage that in order to get a useful portion of the curve, a grid bias is necessary and that even then tube amplification factors are limited by practical difficulties in proportioning of shapes of electrodes.

I have successfully operated the apparatus of tion in certain preferred embodiments, I desire that it be understood that modifications may be made and that no limitations upon my invention my invention. While I have described my invenare intended other than may be imposed by the scope or the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent or the United States is as follows:

1. An electric discharge system comprising, in atmospheric air, a stream-lined discharge electrode including a multiplicity of discharge points, a'screen-like control electrode disposed adjacent said discharge points, a screen-like receiving electrode aligned with said discharge points and spaced from said screen-like control electrode, said stream-lined and screen-like electrodes being unobstructive to the passage of air in the operation of said system, an input circuit connected between said plurality of discharge points and said control electrode, and an output circuit connected between said receiving electrode and said plurality of discharge points.

2. An electric discharge system comprising a discharge electrode, a control electrode and a receiving electrode disposed in spaced relation at substantially atmospheric pressures, said discharge electrode including a plurality of discharge points directed toward said control electrode and said receiving electrode, each said electrode being pervious to air for permitting passage of air in the operation of said system, means for impressing the potential to be amplified between said discharge points and said control electrode, and means for deriving an amplified output with respect to the impressed potential.

3. An electric discharge system comprising a discharge electrode, a control electrode and a receiving electrode disposed in spaced relation at substantially atmospheric pressures, said discharge electrode including a plurality of discharge points directed toward said control electrode and said receiving electrode, each said electrode being pervious to air for permitting passage of air in the operation of said system, means for impressing, the potential to be amplified between said discharge points and said control electrode, and a circuit connected between said receiving electrode and said plurality of discharge points for deriving an increased output with respect to the impressed potential.

' 4. An electric discharge system comprising, in atmospheric air, a plurality of discharge points, a screen-like control electrode mounted in spaced relation with respect thereto, a receiving electrode mounted in spacedrelation to said screen-like control electrode, said screen-like electrode being unobstructive to the passage of air in the operation of said system, means for impressing a higher potential on said receiving electrode than the potential on said control electrode, a circuit for impressing energy to be amplified between said plurality of discharge points and said controlelectrode, and an output circuit connected between said plurality of discharge points and said receiving electrode.

. 5. An electric discharge system comprising a discharge electrode, a control electrode and a receiving electrode associated in spaced relation at substantially atmospheric pressures, each said electrode being pervious to air for permitting passage of air in the operation of said system, means for impressing a potential to Joe amplified between said discharge electrode and said control electrode, and means for deriving amplified potential in a circuit included between said discharge electrode and said receiving electrode; all

flaw;

" 7;An electric discharge system comprising a of said electrodes operating at substantially the same temperature.

' system, means ,for impressing potential to be amplified between said discharge electrode and said control electrode, and means for-deriving an amplified output between said receiving electrode and said discharge electrode having a current voltage relation. following {substantially a cubic plurality of stream-lined discharge members, a

screen-like control electrode having intersecting portions aligned with said discharge members, a screen-like receiving electrode having intersecting portions spacially related to the intersecting for impressing the potential to be amplified between said discharge members and said screenlike control electrode, and means for deriving amplified potential in a circuit extending between said discharge members and said receiving electrode.

8. In an electric discharge system, an electron discharge device comprising a semiconductive support, a conductor extending through said semi-conductive support, a plurality of discharge points disposed in alignment with said semi-conductive support, a control electrode and a receiving electrode spacially related to said; discharge points, means for impressing thepo-f tential to be amplified between said conductor and said control electrode, and means for deriving an amplified output between said receiving electrode and said conductor.

9. In an electric discharge system, in atmospheric air, a semi-conductive support, a plurality of electron discharge members mounted in said support, means establishing electrical connection discharge points, a receiving electrode mounted in spaced relation to said control electrode, means establishing electrical connection with said strip-like supporting members, an input circuit connected between said means and said control electrode, and an output circuit connected between said receiving electrode and said means.

11; In an electric discharge system, an elec-,

tron dischargedevice comprising a plurality'of stream-lined strip-like supporting members arranged in parallel spaced relation and each formed from semi-conductive material, discharge points mounted in said members, a control electrode disposedadjacent said discharge points, a receiving electrode mounted in spaced relation to said control electrode, means establishing electrical connection with said strip-like supporting members, an input circuit connected between said means and said control electrode, and an output circuit connected between said receiving electrode and said means.

12. In an electric discharge system, an electron discharge device comprising a stream-lined strip-like supporting member formed from semiconductive material and having a tapered edge portion, a plurality of discharge points mounted in the tapered edge portion of said member, a control electrode disposed adjacent said discharge points, a receiving electrode mounted in spaced relation to said control electrode, means establishing electrical connection with said striplike supporting members, an input circuit connected between said means and said control electrode, and an output circuit connected between said receiving electrode and said means.

13;An electric discharge system comprising a discharge electrodev including a multiplicity of sharp discharge points, resistive means for supporting-said points, a target electrode mounted in'spaced relation-to said discharge points, a control electrode adjacent said discharge points and said target electrode, an input circuit connected between the resistive means supporting said discharge points and said control electrode,

an output circuitconnected between said target electrode and the resistive means supporting said discharge points, and means for maintaining said target electrode at relatively high potential with respect to said discharge points.

14. An electric discharge system comprising a discharge electrode including a multiplicity of sharp discharge points, resistive means in circuit with said discharge points, a target electrode mounted in spaced relation to said discharge points, a control electrode adjacent said discharge points and said target electrode, an input circuit including said resistive means, said discharge points and said control electrode,an output circuit including said' target electrode, said resistive means and said discharge points, and means tor maintaining said target electrode at relatively high potential with respect to said discharge points. r 1

' GAMES SLAYTER. 

